Bearly Bewitched (Mystic Hollow #4)

Chapter 25

TWENTY-FIVE

“ T ry this.” Vail drew silvery lines of power in the air between them, creating a visual framework. “See how witch magic follows these structured patterns? While shifter energy—“ She gestured to the golden waves emanating from where Kaine demonstrated across the room. “—moves more organically. We’re not trying to force them to be the same. We’re learning their natural rhythms so they can work together.”

Beck’s brow furrowed in concentration as he attempted the spell again. The magical strands started to align, then scattered like startled birds. “I can’t—it’s impossible?—“

“Mind if I help?” Kaine’s deep voice carried quiet authority as he approached. He caught Vail’s eye, silently asking permission to join the instruction.

She nodded, trying to ignore how her magic brightened at his proximity. “Two perspectives are better than one.”

Kaine knelt beside Beck. “Instead of thinking about witch versus shifter magic, try this. Imagine you’re at one of the town dances.”

Beck blinked, clearly thrown by the unexpected comparison. “What?”

“You’ve seen couples dancing, right? They move differently, but they work together. The structure of the steps, the natural flow of the music – neither is wrong. They’re just different ways of approaching the same goal.”

Understanding dawned in Beck’s eyes. “So the witch magic is like... the how the male dances?”

“Exactly.” Vail built on Kaine’s metaphor, her fire magic weaving delicate patterns through his demonstration. “And shifter energy is like how the female dances. Sometimes the male only holds on to his mate’s hands while she spins around in circles. Both are needed to make the dance work. We’re learning to let them complement each other instead of compete.”

Their combined magic created a shimmering example in the air between them – Vail’s structured fire patterns flowing seamlessly into Kaine’s organic bear energy. The resulting display drew appreciative gasps from watching students as golden-amber light rippled outward like waves on a pond.

“See?” Kaine’s voice remained steady, though his eyes locked with Vail’s for a heated moment that made her glad she wasn’t trying to maintain a spell just then. “Different magics can work together beautifully when you stop fighting their natural rhythm.”

Beck’s next attempt produced a stable sphere of hybrid energy, smaller than the demonstration but perfectly balanced. Pride replaced frustration on his face as his classmates applauded. Vail started to step back, needing distance from the magnetic pull of Kaine’s presence, but his hand caught her elbow.

“We make a good team,” he murmured, his thumb brushing the sensitive skin inside her arm.

“Uncle Kaine! Headmistress Vail! Watch this!”

Daisy’s excited voice drew their attention to the center of the practice space. She stood with hands raised, determination etched across her young face as she attempted an advanced illumination charm. The sphere of light above her palms started beautifully, pure radiance filling the room with golden warmth.

Then everything went wrong.

The curse erupted with explosive force, shattering Daisy’s careful control. Dark energy crackled outward like lightning, jagged tendrils whipping through the air. Students dove for cover as magical backlash scorched the stone walls.

“Daisy!” Kaine lunged forward, but Vail was closer.